Catherine Gale

Catherine Gale is a senior Family Lawyer and Mediator who has been assisting clients to reach acceptable solutions in Family Law matters for over 40 years.

In 2006, Catherine served as the President of the Law Institute of Victoria and in 2012, President of the Law Council of Australia. In each of those positions, Catherine advocated strongly for alternative dispute resolution processes in the context of family law and was at the forefront of the development of collaborative practice in Australia.

In addition to being a nationally accredited mediator, Catherine is also an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, the author of two books on family law, has extensive teaching experience within the profession both around Australia and Internationally and is a former lecturer at Monash University.

Catherine’s most recent initiative has been developed with a Canadian Family Law Collaborative Lawyer and Mediator, Jacinta Gallant, in conjunction with Nadine Udorovic at Nicholes Family Law. The ‘Our Family in Two Homes’ process is a reflective process designed to assist couples as they separate to maintain respectful and courteous communication, focus on their children’s best interests and build a strong parenting relationship for the future while separating the rest of their lives. It is based on an insight mediation model as opposed to an interest-based meditation model and includes reflective work for the client around their values and family goals.

Qualifications

• Catherine is a graduate of the Melbourne University Law School.
• Nationally Accredited Mediator.
• Government Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
• Former President of Law Council of Australia, 2012.
• Former President of Law Institute of Victoria, 2006.
• Board Member, Neerim District Health Service Victoria.

Interests

Outside of work Catherine enjoys breeding and showing Airedale Terriers.